Dunedin, FL: At age 98, Emma passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Sun Coast Hospice in Palm Harbor, FL. She was born in West Sparta, NY to the late Roy and Sarah Popple. Emma is predeceased by her husband; Charlie Taft, her brothers, Ray Popple and Donald Popple. Survived by her daughters, Patricia (Bural) LaRue, Sharon (Pete Zirpoli) Staudinger-Zirpoli, Linda (Dennis) Truelson, her grandchildren; Todd (Jill) Staudinger, Scott (Gina) Staudinger, Sarah Truelson, her sister; Esther Shimwell, and her 3 great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews.
Emma grew up on a farm overlooking Conesus Lake and graduated from Geneseo High School in 1938. After High School she worked various jobs including being a nanny in NYC and a hairdresser in Livonia, where she met the love of her life, Charles. In 1942 Emma and Charles were married in Chicago where he was stationed while serving in the US Navy. Later that year when he was sent to serve overseas she moved back to Livonia to the Taft family home on Commercial Street, where she lovingly raised her family and lived for the next 57 years before moving to Florida in 1999 to be with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Emma was an active member of The Livonia United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, was a member of the church Woman’s Group and a Rotary kitchen volunteer. When she moved to Florida she attended church at the Kirk of Dunedin, where she was an associate member.
Emma was an avid golfer and belonged to the Livingston Country Club where she was a member of the Ladies League. When she moved to Florida she was very active, taking daily walks, attending and participating in community activities and made many new friends.
Above all else Emma was a loving, dedicated Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. She cared for her family deeply and left a lifetime of love and memories that will be cherished by all of those who were lucky enough to be raised and guided by her loving, kind soul. She lived a long and wonderful life, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
A funeral service will take place on Monday, October 21, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the United Methodist Church, 21 Summers Street in Livonia. Interment will be held privately at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Livonia. Memorial contributions may be made to: United Methodist Church, 21 Summers Street, Livonia NY 14487 or to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org. To share a memory or a condolence please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
I remember working with your mom at the dinners our church served Rotary on Monday nights. She also helped with many church activities. Her smile was so warm and friendly. She, my mom Lois Wingate, Ruth Struble, Beulah Davis and Evy Williams were tbe worker bees at our church for many years. Whenever I saw Sharon, I would ask about Emma. We will be missed.
Such a sweet lady and a great friend to my mom, Ruth Foy.
So sorry to hear of your mothers passing. I remember you all from church. Sharron especially you. You were ways so like your mother. May the Lord bless you as you go through the grieving prosess. My sister Mary and her husband Don Bellinger both passed away this spring so I can identify with what you must be going through. May Jesus be by your side constantly in the coming weeks and months.
My reguards,
Chaplain, John (Jack) Draper